Practicum

Training Opportunities 2010-2011

Children’s Advocacy Services of Greater St. Louis (CASGSL) is offering practicum placements to graduate students interested in working in the field of Child Trauma. CASGSL serves children who have been traumatized by physical and/or sexual abuse, exposed to domestic violence, witnessed violent crime, encountered trauma due to accident/natural disaster or faced traumatic bereavement. The multidisciplinary team at CASGSL is committed to offering intensive training to qualified graduate students seeking a rigorous internship experience. CASGSL is the foremost provider of trauma-focused services for children in the St. Louis metropolitan region. CASGSL prides itself on providing cutting-edge treatments for traumatized children. Trainees receive supervision in evidence-based treatments including Trauma-Focused Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) and Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT). Trainees may also participate in group-based treatment models for children with sexual behavior problems and adolescents exposed to chronic stress.

Graduate level students from a variety of disciplines including Psychology, Social Work, Counseling, and Criminal Justice selected as clinical trainees will be expected to participate in these general requirements in addition to the specific duties outlined for each position below:

Structured Didactic Training in child trauma focused services/Treatment Team supervision (one hour/week-alternating weeks) on Mondays from 11:30am-12:30pm
Individual Supervision (one hour/week)
Availability to see clients at least two evenings per week until 8:00 pm or one evening per week until 8:00 pm and Saturdays from approximately 9:00 am-2:00 pm.

For information regarding the process of applying for a training opportunity at CASGSL please refer to the following pages, which provide more detailed information about the specific training positions available at this agency as well as instructions regarding the application process for the positions.

For more information regarding these training opportunities, please contact Dorothy Denny at (314) 516-7341 or at dennydo@umsl.edu

Professional Training Opportunities

Graduate level Psychology, Social Work, Counseling and Criminal Justice students selected as clinical trainees will be expected to participate in these general requirements in addition to the specific duties outlined for each position below (These requirements do not apply to the undergraduate training opportunities described on page 2):

Structured Didactic Training in child trauma focused services/Treatment Team supervision (one hour/week-alternating weeks)
Individual Supervision (one hour/week)
Availability to see clients at least two evenings per week until 8:00 pm or one evening per week until 8:00 pm and Saturdays from approximately 9:00 am-4:00 pm.

For information regarding the process of applying for a training opportunity at CASGSL please refer to the following pages, which provide more detailed information about the specific training positions available at this agency (i.e., Undergraduate Opportunities, Graduate Opportunities, Advanced Psychology Training Opportunities) as well as instructions regarding the application process for each position.

For more information regarding these training opportunities, please contact us at (314) 516-6798.
Undergraduate Opportunities**

PSYC 3390-Research Assistant: (Two semester position)
Position is open to University of Missouri-St. Louis (UMSL) undergraduates of junior or senior standing or students who have previous experience in mental health research. Duties include:

Score psychological measures related to trauma symptoms and adjustment
Maintain an on-site clinical/research database
Track, schedule, and conduct follow-up interviews with agency clients and their parents or guardians
Assist with the preparation of workshops and other presentations
Assist with literature searches for faculty research proposals & submissions
Survey journal articles to enhance the student’s understanding of the incidence, prevalence, and psychological effects of traumatic experiences
Other related tasks appropriate for the student’s level of training

PSYC 3390-Intake Specialist: (Two semester position)
Position is open to UMSL undergraduates of junior or senior standing or students who have previous experience working in a mental health field. Duties include:

Complete telephone intakes for potential therapy clients for CASGSL

Obtain information about client’s background
Screen clients for appropriateness for clinic
Obtain insurance information

Determine treatment program that best fits clients’ needs
Schedule clients’ first appointments with therapists
Manage clients’ intake information in the electronic record database
Work with other intake staff, administrative staff, and professional staff to promote smooth clinical operations

PSYC 3390-Victim Advocate Assistant: (One or Two semester position)
Position is open to UMSL undergraduates of junior or senior standing or students who have previous experience working in a mental health or criminal justice field. Duties include:

Record legal outcome data of children who have participated in a forensic interview
Assist with preparation of case review documentation, which includes contacting multidisciplinary team members for case status updates
Provide research regarding relevant issues
Assist in the research and writing of grants
Create resource manual for client supports in the community
Attendance / observation of criminal court process for children who participated in a forensic interview
Assist with the preparation of workshops and other presentations
Survey journal articles to enhance the student’s understanding of the forensic interview, victim advocacy and the multidisciplinary team investigatory process
Other related tasks appropriate for the student’s level of training

Application Process:
Interested applicants should e-mail/mail a resume to Dr. Megan Schacht at:

Weinman Building-Upper Level
One University Blvd.
St. Louis, MO 63121
schachtm@umsl.edu

Successful applicants may enroll for course during the appropriate enrollment period. Students will not be allowed to enroll for the course without the approval/consent of Dr. Schacht. For further information please contact Dr. Schacht by telephone at (314) 516-7338 or by e-mail at the address provided above.

**Volunteer opportunities are also available for UMSL or non-UMSL undergraduate students. Please use the process described above to apply for volunteer opportunities.

Graduate Opportunities*

Preparatory Practicum Placement Options: (Two semester positions)

Intake/Group Therapy Trainee **:
Position is open to entry level therapists-in-training. Graduate students in Social Work, Psychology and Counseling programs are encouraged to apply: Duties include:

Completing telephone intakes for potential therapy clients for CASGSL (i.e., obtain information about client’s background, screen clients for appropriateness for clinic, obtain insurance information)
Determining treatment program that best fits clients’ needs
Scheduling clients’ first appointments with therapists
Managing clients’ intake information in the electronic record database
Working with other intake, administrative, and professional staff to promote smooth clinical operations
Conducting initial parent/child screenings for group therapy programs
Co-facilitating groups with a licensed clinician conducting group therapy
Assisting in the development of group therapy curriculum modules
Marketing of group therapy services in the St. Louis area
Collecting background information, questionnaires, and data related to research studies

Victim Advocate Trainee:
Position is open to students as an initial field placement. Graduate students in Criminal Justice, Social Work, Counseling and Psychology programs are encouraged to apply. Duties include:

Providing victim advocacy services including information and preparation support for children, adolescents and families surrounding the court proceedings
Assisting with data collection and analysis related to investigative outcome and client satisfaction
Conducting parent interviews to gather background information and case specific details.
Observing forensic interviews and court proceedings in a multi-disciplinary setting (Please note that trainees will NOT conduct forensic interviews!).
Interacting with law enforcement officers, prosecuting attorneys, and Children’s Division personnel related to police and child protective services investigations and trial

Advanced Practicum Placement Options: (Two semester positions)

Clinical Trainee:
Open to graduate students with prior therapy/practicum experience. Graduate students in Psychology, Counseling and Social Work programs are encouraged to apply. Duties include:

Conducting initial trauma-informed assessments for youth and families
Providing individual, group and/or family psychotherapy for victims of childhood trauma
Completing written documentation in a timely fashion
Conducting initial parent/child screenings for group therapy programs
Co-facilitating groups with a licensed clinician conducting group therapy
Assisting in the development of group therapy curriculum modules
Marketing of group therapy services in the St. Louis area
Collecting background information, questionnaires, and data related to research studies

*Graduate level training opportunities are open to students from non-UMSL graduate programs

**Students who successfully complete this practicum will have preferred status if later applying for the Clinical
Trainee advanced practicum placement
Non-Profit Administration:
Position is open to advanced graduate students. Graduate students in Public Health Administration, Business, Social Work, Psychology and Counseling are encouraged to apply. Duties include:

Grant proposal research and writing; grants management and reporting
Relationship building with potential donors and non-profit community agencies
Developing business opportunities to maintain and expand services

Application Procedure:
Interviews Days for graduate training opportunities will be held twice each year:

Interviews for Summer and Fall placements will be held Friday, March 5, 2010 from 9:00am-12:00pm
Interviews for Spring/Winter placements will be held Friday, October 29, 2010 from 9:00am-12:00pm

Applicants are requested to RSVP for an Interview Day at least three days prior to the date. Please indicate the position you are interested in when you RSVP for the Interview Day. Applicants attending the Interview Day are asked to provide/complete the following documents on the day of the interview:

Cover letter indicating a statement of your interests and your previous experience working with children and/or trauma (e.g., sexual abuse)
Current contact information (address, phone), the practicum position for which you are applying (see list), available start date, and number of hours you are available each week
A resume that details your professional experience
A copy of your program of study (i.e., required coursework) and unofficial transcripts (undergraduate and graduate) listing the courses you have completed and current courses
A list of 3 academic/professional references (e.g., faculty advisor, supervisor) with contact information.
A listing of all requirements expected by your program to successfully complete the practicum (i.e. number of client contact hours required, video/audio tape guidelines for supervision, credentials required of your supervisor, any assignments necessary for completion of course credit, and whether or not individual and/or group supervision is required for credit.)
Submit copies of departmental forms/records that need to be filled out by CASGSL staff to satisfy your program’s requirements (i.e., evaluation forms)
Completed forms authorizing the criminal and child abuse/neglect background checks that are required for all personnel providing services to our clients (these will be provided on the day of the interview)

For more information or to RSVP to an Interview Day, please contact Dorothy Denny at (314) 516-7341 or by e-mail at dennydo@umsl.edu

* Please note that applicants are required to attend for the entire 3 hour block of time

Advanced Psychology Training Options

The following training opportunities use separate application procedures. Please contact Dr. Jerry Dunn at (314) 516-7342 or by e-mail at dunnjer@msx.umsl.edu

Clerkship for Doctoral Students in Psychology:
Position is open to 3rd and 4th year doctoral students in the UMSL clinical psychology program. Duties include:

Conducting initial trauma-informed assessments for youth and families
Providing individual, group and/or family psychotherapy for victims of childhood trauma
Maintaining written documentation in a timely fashion
Participation in community outreach/education
Serve as an on-call clinician in a rotating emergency service

Predoctoral Internship Adjunct Rotation for Doctoral Students in Psychology
Position is a one-day adjunct rotation that is open to predoctoral interns in clinical psychology at the St. Louis Psychology Internship Consortium. Duties include:

Conducting initial trauma-informed assessments for youth and families
Providing individual, group and/or family psychotherapy for victims of childhood trauma
Maintaining written documentation in a timely fashion
Participation in community outreach/education

Postdoctoral Fellowship in Psychology
This is a full time position for individuals who have completed all requirements for a Ph.D. in Clinical or Counseling Psychology and are license eligible in the State of Missouri. Duties include:

Conducting initial trauma-informed assessments for youth and families
Providing individual, group and/or family psychotherapy for victims of childhood trauma
Maintaining written documentation in a timely fashion
Providing supervision of psychotherapy conducted by practicum students, graduate students, and interns.
Participation in community outreach/education
Serve as an on-call clinician in a rotating emergency service
Provide back-up support for crisis situations
Complete other duties and responsibilities as deemed necessary by management